[Fred]

Once out on the trails there really are no annoying crowds. The concerns expressed seem more related to congestion in the parks, town itself as well as poor campground etiquette in some overcrowded BLM primitive sites. Time on the bikes is always fun, it is just the desire to have more rewarding camp experience that is behind idea to move away from previous group camp locations. Thus my plan for week after Easter somewhere Behind The Rocks.

 

[Fred]

This is my proposed 10 day 100 gallon trip. I can shave off 100+ miles and save 6 or 7 gallons to fuel the TW if I avoid interstate and straight line it through Nevada via HWY 50 following Pony Express Route and a 90 plus mile fun dirt short-cut crossing the old Spanish Trail in the Confusion Mountains. Gotta have fun distractions on the way, interstate is so efficient but oh so boring.

 

[Ski Pro 3]

This is my proposed 10 day 100 gallon trip. I can shave off 100+ miles and save 6 or 7 gallons to fuel the TW if I avoid interstate and straight line it through Nevada via HWY 50 following Pony Express Route and a 90 plus mile fun dirt short-cut crossing the old Spanish Trail in the Confusion Mountains. Gotta have fun distractions on the way, interstate is so efficient but oh so boring.
View attachment 233783

From personal experience, do not rely on the time these sorts of maps say it takes to get from point A to point B. Especially if you are towing or have an RV. Add at least 50% more time. This is especially critical when planning to camp over and not drive the whole trip in one day. We left Placerville, took hwy 50 to Sacramento Pass BLM campground. Google Maps says just under 8 hours. We left home at 10am and arrived just after midnight, over 14 hours. We stopped a couple times for fuel and dinner, but that was it. Drove my truck camper with cruise control set for 60mph to conserve fuel. The problem is, the map does not show you what The Great Basin really is. It's 7 mountain passes set up much like washboard but with 7,000+ foot summits each. They are all twisty, narrow and scary after dark as your headlights aim out across the expanse of desert sky as you try to make hairpin turns. Yes, there are those lonely flat sections, but that's a very small portion of the journey.
We arrived in the dark, looking for a site to set up and got turned around on the for-crap road through the site. Finally ended up back at the highway and parked right there in the day lot. We were both so strung out from the drive we almost turned around and went home. Now that I KNOW the road, I'll plan 3 days, not two, to get to Moab from Northern California. It's 900 miles each way. We should have figured on 300 miles max per day.

 

[Fred]

Sacramento Pass is a good free overnight resting spot on the way to Moab, especially at the upper camp area away from the highway.
Google Maps travel times are indeed often wrong as Ski Pro points out. Highway 50 is a good example.

 

[Fred]

Anyone interested in a day or two riding The Needles District of Canyonlands? (Think a mix of Bryce and Zion)

Here is a park service video for their veiw of the big picture:

Needles and Maze 4WD Technical Roads- Canyonlands National Park Backcountry Orientation Film

This film will help you prepare for your backcountry technical four wheel drive trip at Canyonlands National Park. Helpful tips and advice provided in this video will help you plan your trip and Leave No Trace while out in these pristine areas.

www.nps.gov

It is a little far for just a day trip from Moab. Starting early morning in Needles seems way to experience more.
The 26 readily accssible campsites in main area mostly already reserved and there are many primitive camps in the backcountry only 4x4 accessible. However 20 years ago there were some primitive camp locations just outside the park on the Lockhart Basin Road where I camped in warmer months when my dogs were not allowed in park but welcome on adjacent BLM lands.
Back country in The Needles would be good for those wishing to camp off the bike. One option is to flow out generally to the south ( Bobbie's Hole) and past many anasazi ruins in Beef Basin and exit near Newspaper Rock.

 

[Fred]

While there is little consensus to date on spring ride dates and locations there is still time to flesh things out. Hopefuilly a fall ride will garner greater interest & attendance. I don't mind exploring on my own, it is just a bit safer to have companion(s) on some of the more remote and/or challenging Moab trails.

 

[sgtwareham]

Is there a roundup of who is in Moab when? At this point, we're managing around a dirt bike rally in Green River from April 13-15th, and family visiting for a few days around the 24th. Town might be a little crazy with jeep safari April 1-9th.

Even if we don't make it down for a full week we could be pretty flexible during a few different 2-3 days stretches. Would love to hang out with you guys!

 

[Fred]

So far I have just mentioned joining Admiral, Mrs Admiral & sons around April 12th Behind The Wall. However looking at interesting Green River trails like Canyon Wash and Moon Walk for twisty arroyo riding. It sure would be good to ride with you again.

 

[TrialRun]

We had a pre-planned ride in Moab scheduled with 2-3 of my sons starting around 12 April as noted.
Our intention this year is to camp south of Moab in the general area of Behind the Rocks but this is not set in stone yet.

How long are you planning on staying? ~12th - ??

 

[Appleguy]

How long are you planning on staying? ~12th - ??

I plan on arriving on 4/10 with oldest son and grandson. Probably stay for a week to 10 days. This is of course dependent upon surviving the next 3 weeks here in Quartzsite. Today on first day of riding ended up breaking rear portion of frame in 4 places. Have an appointment with Sunny the welder tomorrow at 11.

 

[chad_skidmore]

I plan on arriving on 4/10 with oldest son and grandson. Probably stay for a week to 10 days. This is of course dependent upon surviving the next 3 weeks here in Quartzsite. Today on first day of riding ended up breaking rear portion of frame in 4 places. Have an appointment with Sunny the welder tomorrow at 11.

Cole and I are counting on you not killing yourself off on this trip so get the bike fixed and keep it together. We’re looking forward to invading the TW crew with our Hondas in April

 

[Mrs. Admiral]

How long are you planning on staying? ~12th - ??

We’ll be there at least to the 17th. We don’t need to be home until April 26 but would like to spend some time wandering and exploring more of Utah.

 

[Allanb]

I plan on arriving on 4/10 with oldest son and grandson. Probably stay for a week to 10 days. This is of course dependent upon surviving the next 3 weeks here in Quartzsite. Today on first day of riding ended up breaking rear portion of frame in 4 places. Have an appointment with Sunny the welder tomorrow at 11.

Bummer Appleguy. How abused has the bike been previously?
The further you get up into those hills, the rockier and nastier it gets. The valley floor isnt bad at all.

 

[Hoot Gibson]

Once out on the trails there really are no annoying crowds. The concerns expressed seem more related to congestion in the parks, town itself as well as poor campground etiquette in some overcrowded BLM primitive sites. Time on the bikes is always fun, it is just the desire to have more rewarding camp experience that is behind idea to move away from previous group camp locations. Thus my plan for week after Easter somewhere Behind The Rocks.

Fred, as always, has it right...and it's to each his own enjoyment levels. Back years ago, in 2015, it was about 60/40 the 60% did the primitive camp thing and the other 40%, including Hoot, Borneo, Effenflood, Montezuma, Zdiver, and Weasel, among others, did the Moab KOA just south of town. I, for one, liked going into town most days, eating, hitting a bar at night, and kicking back at the KOA grounds...that didn't stop us for hooking up with the Late, Great, Mel, and breaking bread with the North Primitive Camping crowd...it all worked out great for our 9 days there...

Damn hard to believe it's been 8 years next month since that get together... more than a few great souls have gone on to their final rewards since then

 

[oldworld 124]

So, is there a list of who is going and when?

 

[Fred]

No.
You could always make one though.
So far only know of Admiral, MrsAdmiral, White Mule & my plans for at least April 12th through the 14th. Where and what to be determined since I beleive none of us has scouted possible group sites south of town around Behind the Rocks.

 

[Hoot Gibson]

8 Years ago this month, starting the 1550 mile trip each way from Grand Lake Ohio via Auburn, Indiana...Hauling Weasel's, Hoot's Borneo's and Montezuma's TWs...Young Weasel, insisted he drive out the entire trip, and who were we to argue...we let him:

 

[TrialRun]

Since I'm an engineer and it drives me crazy to not have a summary of pertinent information,

Latest Updates:
March 2 - Initial Summary

Dates: April 10ish - 20ish seems to be how it's sorting out.

Attendees:
1. Appleguy and Family (3) Arrive 10 Depart 17-20
2. Admirals and Family (4-5) Arrive 12 Depart 17
3. Fred Arrive 12 Depart ??
4. TrialRun Arrive 11-12 Depart 17-18
5. Bodi ???
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.


Moab Camp Location: TBD, but Admirals propose South of town to try a new area due to having ridden the north-of-town trails many times. And no one has disagreed with this as a group location yet.

Pre and Post Moab:
Pre:
Fred - maybe Needles and/or Monument Valley.
TrialRun - interested in going somewhere before and may arrive to visit Monument Valley or somewhere else in the S.E area.

Post:



I’ll try to keep up with posts to add and subtract every few days.

Fred – I don’t know if it’s possible on the site, but if I can be given permission to edit your post 1, I can drop this into that post so we all know where it is. Otherwise, I'll just keep updating and reposting.

 

[Fred]

Please Greg, edit away. I should edit or delete some of the earlier abandoned plans.
For example am now thinking of Moab first for 3 or 4 days with one of them possibly Needles District, then flowing south to Monument Valley, reverse direction then see/camp Muley Point overlooking goosnecks on San Juan River, then flow north cross Colorado again at Hite and up 95 to Factory Butte/SwingArm City/ Escalante rand Staircase... health, working bike and time permitting I'll cruise more gentle long rides like Catherdral Valley.

 

[TrialRun]

Fred - I don't know how to edit your post 1. Is there a way for an administrator or moderator to assign those rights to me?? Kris, Little Tommy, ??